My regular sidearm for several years has been a .44 mag.
Recently I obtained a Colt Combat Commander. (.45 auto)
Does anyone hunt with a .45 auto?
I usually have a couple of places where I will hang my rifle and use the handgun for shots out to 40 or 50 yards, thats all I am comfortable shooting with open sight handguns.
If anyone hunts with this calibur, let me know what loads you use, and how well they perform.

Not in Illinois. It's got to be a big bore wheel gun. 45 acp can only produce about 1200 fps and 550 ft-lbs out of the bore and that's using P+ ammo like Corbon, while a bunch of ammo makers have 44 mag stuff that sends 240 grns out at over 1500 fps and delivers over 1200 ft-lbs at close range. So use your revolver to hunt and save your Springfield or Kimber for concealed carry, LE CQB, or the range... just my opinion. Semper Fi

Kentucky allows using 45ACP, but I do not know anyone that hunts with it. It it were just up to you and me, I'd say act responsibly and go for it. The problem is that it's not.

I've been in online hunting forums since before there was an Internet. I have seen folks talk about taking deer with everything from 25 Auto up to a civil war cannon. There's a whole school of folks that say .22 LR is the preferable round, because that is what deer control snipers use. Yes, there are those who believe it is a good round for deer. Personally, I would carry the 44 Mag and not worry about it.

The problem is that it opens up a can of worms if you do it and then get online and shout about it. There are arguments over it just being a stunt. There are arguments over whether or not you are a slob. There are arguments over whether or not you are feeding the anti-hunters.

My advice is to use your own conscience, and just don't crow about it afterward.